Not-A-Pundit: The Renaissance

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)–A report issued Thursday by the International Atomic Energy Agency shows that Iran is accelerating its uranium enrichment activities, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said.

Speaking during a televised press conference, Bolton said the U.N. Security Council must draw up sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

“The report makes clear that not only has Iran not suspended uranium enrichment activities as required by Resolution 1696, it’s accelerating” its efforts, Bolton said.

Bolton spoke shortly after IAEA, which is the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said Iran shows no signs of freezing enrichment, adding that Tehran started work on a new batch Aug. 24.

“This is an example of why the idea that Iran should be allowed to conduct research and development activities doesn’t work,” Bolton said.

Bolton said the IAEA report didn’t draw a conclusion about the nature of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities because Iran is not providing it with the information it is obligated to provide.

Bolton told reporters that Iran’s refusal to cooperate fully with the IAEA and its continued development of nuclear technology leaves no doubt that it is seeking a nuclear bomb. Iran contends its program is for peaceful purposes.

He said the U.N. Security Council must begin drawing up sanctions against Iran now that the nation’s leaders have disregarded the Thursday deadline to suspend uranium enrichment.

Bolton said Security Council unanimity wasn’t needed before taking action against Iran over its nuclear program, a reference to continued Chinese and Russian reluctance to move quickly on sanctions.

“While we’re trying to seek the broadest possible support, we don’t need a 15-0 vote for the Security Council to act,” Bolton said.